vacuum

noun vac·u·um \ ˈva-(ˌ)kyüm , -kyəm also -kyü-əm \

Updated on: 8 Dec 2017

Definition of vacuum

plural vacuums or vacua play \ˈva-kyə-wə\

1 : emptiness of space

2 a : a space absolutely devoid of matter

b : a space partially exhausted (as to the highest degree possible) by artificial means (such as an air pump)

c : a degree of rarefaction below atmospheric pressure

3 a : a state or condition resembling a vacuum : void

the power vacuum in Indochina after the departure of the French
—Norman Cousins

b : a state of isolation from outside influences

people who live in a vacuum … so that the world outside them is of no moment
—W. S. Maugham

4 : a device creating or utilizing a partial vacuum; especially : vacuum cleaner

See vacuum defined for English-language learners

See vacuum defined for kids

Examples of vacuum in a Sentence

the vacuum of outer space
A pump was used to create a vacuum inside the bottle.

Recent Examples of vacuum from the Web

At the same time, the return to the classroom doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

— emily richmond, The Atlantic, "Why Back-to-School Season Feels Like the New Year—Even for Adults," 17 Sep. 2017
The high-pressure waves can cause a pipe to burst at a weak point; the low-pressure pockets can suck inward like a vacuum, causing a weak pipe to collapse, Wylie said.

— keith matheny, Detroit Free Press, "Expert on 'water hammers' says it may be behind Oakland water pipeline failure," 25 Oct. 2017
The negative energy that went out the door with Cousins was like a vacuum, and in his place is a collection of fresh faces, such as this year’s fifth overall pick, De’Aaron Fox.

— joe davidson, sacbee, "‘We’re so ready for better days’: Optimism the theme as young Kings open season," 18 Oct. 2017
Put them in a vacuum, and the water goes away, taking the structure with it.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Algorithm designer among those honored with the Chemistry Nobel," 5 Oct. 2017
For the electron microscope to properly function, the sample must be in a vacuum, which dries out living tissues and can distort some of the structures scientists hope to study.

— ben panko, Smithsonian, "Method for Capturing the Smallest Details of Life Nabs Chemistry Nobel," 4 Oct. 2017
OneJet intends to establish itself in that vacuum, eight seats at a time.

— joe taschler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "OneJet plans operating base at Mitchell International Airport," 3 Oct. 2017
Murray’s departure has created a political vacuum at City Hall, with the city seeing three mayors in less than a week.

— tyler sipe, The Seattle Times, "Reddit AMA at 11 a.m.: Our reporters answer your questions on Ed Murray investigation, mayor’s race," 19 Sep. 2017
The choice then would be between death by drowning in the fish bowl of your helmet or death by instant suffocation in the vacuum outside.

— jeffrey kluger, Time, "Episode 7 of the Podcast 'Countdown:' The Strange Case of the Drowning Astronaut," 31 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vacuum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vacuum

borrowed from Medieval Latin (translation of Greek kenón), from neuter of Latin vacuus "empty, unoccupied," from vacāre "to be empty or unoccupied, have space, be free" + -uus, deverbal adjective suffix — more at vacant

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First Known Use: 1550

See Words from the same year

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

vacuum

verb

Definition of vacuum

transitive verb

1 : to use a vacuum device (such as a vacuum cleaner) on

vacuum the living room

2 : to draw or take in by or as if by suction

intransitive verb

: to operate a vacuum device

See vacuum defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of vacuum from the Web

Jordan and his older brothers — Kevon and Vidal, both 17 — cleaned their bedrooms and vacuumed the house.

— kurtis lee, www.latimes.com, "Faith, family, football," 19 Oct. 2017
My wife gave me an unsatisfactory glance from the window and then vacuumed.

— josh lorenzo, Washington Post, "Raked over: Just when you think you’re done, autumn weather comes to bite you," 2 Nov. 2017
Outside of Space Mountain crews shampooed and vacuumed carpets all night.

— zoie matthew, Los Angeles Magazine, "What It’s Like Being Inside Disneyland at 3 AM," 31 Oct. 2017
Most techies see Google, like AWS, as a public cloud that wants to vacuum up corporate tasks to run on its infrastructure.

— barb darrow, Fortune, "How Google Could Woo More Customers Away From Amazon and Microsoft With Help From Cisco," 25 Oct. 2017
And no wonder—photographs online show the maintenance staff vacuuming the surface of the painting.

— kevin conley, Town & Country, "Aby Rosen and the Case of the Giant Picasso," 25 Feb. 2014
But small actions like vacuuming and returning videotapes can have a positive impact on our well-being.

— dr. stephen ilardi, WSJ, "Why Personal Tech Is Depressing," 26 Oct. 2017
My homemade versions weren't as shelf-stable as a bag of Welch's, but they get vacuumed up by little mouths anyway, so no need for stabilizers and wax.

— sara kate gillingham, chicagotribune.com, "These DIY versions of popular snacks give processed ingredients the boot," 7 Sep. 2017
If the facilities service people would actually vacuum and/or clean the carpets more, that would help in our allergies and sneezing around the office.

— caitlin r. mcglade, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Database: What Broward teachers say about the mold issue in their classrooms," 31 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of vacuum

1922

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

vacuum

adjective

Definition of vacuum

1 : of, containing, producing, or utilizing a partial vacuum

separated by means of vacuum distillation

2 : of or relating to a vacuum device or system

First Known Use of vacuum

1825

VACUUM Defined for English Language Learners

vacuum

noun

Definition of vacuum for English Language Learners

: an empty space in which there is no air or other gas : a space from which all or most of the air has been removed
: a situation created when an important person or thing has gone and has not been replaced

vacuum

verb

Definition of vacuum for English Language Learners

: to clean (something) with a vacuum cleaner

VACUUM Defined for Kids

vacuum

noun vac·u·um \ ˈva-ˌkyüm \

Definition of vacuum for Students

plural vacuums or vacua \-kyə-wə\

1 : a space completely empty of matter

2 : a space from which most of the air has been removed (as by a pump)

3 : vacuum cleaner

vacuum

verb

Definition of vacuum for Students

vacuumed; vacuuming

: to use a vacuum cleaner on

She's vacuuming the carpet.

Medical Dictionary

vacuum

noun vac·u·um \ ˈvak-(ˌ)yüm , -yu̇-əm , -yəm \

medical Definition of vacuum

plural vacuums or vacua play \-yə-wə\

1 : emptiness of space

2 a : a space absolutely devoid of matter

b : a space partially exhausted (as to the highest degree possible) by artificial means (as an air pump)

c : a degree of rarefaction below atmospheric pressure : negative pressure

vacuum

adjective

medical Definition of vacuum

1 : of, containing, producing, or utilizing a partial vacuum

separated by means of vacuum distillation

2 : of or relating to a vacuum device or system

Learn More about vacuum

Spanish Central: Translation of vacuum Nglish: Translation of vacuum for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of vacuum for Arabic speakers

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Origin and Etymology of vacuum

Other Physics Terms

vacuum

Definition of vacuum

Recent Examples of vacuum from the Web

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Other Physics Terms

vacuum

Definition of vacuum

First Known Use of vacuum

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VACUUM Defined for English Language Learners

vacuum

Definition of vacuum for English Language Learners

vacuum

Definition of vacuum for English Language Learners

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vacuum

Definition of vacuum for Students

Medical Dictionary

vacuum

medical Definition of vacuum

vacuum

medical Definition of vacuum

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